Audio Stream Click Detection and Sample Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio recordings often contain annoying short-duration spikes known as clicking sounds, caused by electric instability or mechanical movement, which are difficult to eliminate effectively with existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that delay audio samples in a sliding window, detect clicking sounds by comparing maximum values with filtered values, replace affected samples with substitute data, and use a counter and edge detector to identify and remove clicks, ensuring minimal impact on audio quality and low computational requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If clicking sounds are removed using traditional methods, then audio quality may be preserved, but the clicking sounds cannot be effectively eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of detecting not just the maximum absolute value but also the rate of change (derivative) of the signal. By monitoring both the amplitude and its temporal derivative, the system can distinguish clicking sounds (which have high magnitude and sharp transitions) from normal audio content, effectively eliminating clicks while preserving audio quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or simple threshold-based click detection methods with a more sophisticated detection mechanism that uses mathematical operations (maximum value detection, derivative calculation, and threshold comparison). This substitution enables more reliable click detection and removal effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If complex click detection algorithms are used, then clicking sounds can be effectively removed, but computational complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the click detection process into distinct functional blocks: a maximum value detector that tracks the peak amplitude, a derivative calculator that computes the rate of change, and a comparator that evaluates against thresholds. This segmentation makes the complex detection algorithm more manageable and implementable in real-time systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary computation of the signal derivative and maintains a running maximum value before actual click detection is needed. By pre-calculating these parameters and storing them in registers, the system reduces the computational burden during real-time operation, lowering overall complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If real-time click detection is implemented, then clicking sounds can be removed during recording, but processing speed requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous tracking of the maximum value and its derivative throughout the recording process, rather than analyzing segments after recording. This continuous action ensures that clicks are detected and can be removed in real-time as they occur, maintaining processing speed requirements at manageable levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system uses the audio signal itself to generate the detection parameters (maximum value and derivative) without requiring external reference signals or complex preprocessing. The signal self-services by providing its own features for detection, reducing external processing requirements and improving speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of reducing clicking sounds in an audio data stream. The samples of the audio data are delayed by a predetermined amount in a sliding window containing a predetermined number of samples. The presence of a clicking sound in the delayed data within said sliding window is detected and the corresponding audio data replaced by substitute data derived from the audio data stream.